Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1887-08-10
DOIC1S CalGl0l.
A Few and Original Illustrated
Serial Story By
FLORENCE {. DIAMOND

ton; bat he was taken completely by sur
prise, and before he could defend himself
had marked him for recognition by several
rather ugly scratches, and brought away Gs
O trophy handful Of hair. But his anger
was kindled. and he struck me fercely, at
the same time calling upon Irma to help
him. In fact, the fight was raging fercely,
when l felt myself suddenly caught in q
grip Of iron, and turned to find a man, a
stranger to me, had caught both Irving and
myself by shoulder of each and now held US
apart, q smile Of amusement on his face at
our situation.
"Weli wellp' he said, at length "What-
ever Is the meaning of thisl Fighting, eh!
And with a girl, Irving! 1 am surprised"
'She pitched ut me first" cried Irving,
his voice trembling with anger. 'She'd
have torn my eyes out II had not defenoed
myself"
eyes, indeed" chimed In Irma, anxious
to defend her brother. ''You must not
blame him, Mr.. Roland; this little beggar
would have hurt him il she could.''
During this interesting colloquy / had
stood quito still, too angry, hurt and bewil-
dered to speak. But at 1rna's cruel words
my temper blazed again. A torrent of
words were on my tongue, but, happening
to glance one side, saw face peering
through the shrubbery. knew it in an in
slant, it was my friend on the cars. knew
the laughing eyes and the brown, curling
hair. There was broad smile ON his face
could see, also. His appearance decided
me. did not pause to reply or defend my
self before the gentleman, but, catching my
books from tho ground, fed toward the
house, never pausing TIL reached my own
room, where sank down, painting and ex-
hausted.
had never remembered being angry bo-
for and this new feeling of rage and hate
fairly overpowered me. When hurt or
grieved before had always wept, but not
o tear dinTned my eyes now, whose fiery
flashes would havo scorched the fountain
Up. But at length / grew calmer, l ro-
moved my bonnet and bathed my face and
hands. 1t was then became conscious OF
singing pain in my left arm, / pushed up
my sleeve Grd found livid blue mark
across my arTl which was also severely
bruised, either by my fall or from blow
in the aiTray had Just taken part in.
looked Ct my bruised arm with terrible
feeling of rage and grief, not 80 much at
the injury, that would soon heal, but there
are scars on our memory that never heal
This was one. had never been struck be-
fore, and though it must be remembered
=
and in others perhaps, was quito justified
in doing so. Therefore my feeling of out
rage was tho same as though had been
ignominiously beaten without a cause.
Irving Barrett, no doubt, regarded the
whole affair as q joke, yet he hardly guessed
that that one cruel act would be weighed
In tho balance against him when that same
scale was balanced for life or death.
"Wcll, Miss, yer uncommon sober to
night7
started. 1t was Maggic's chccry voice
at my elbow that aroused me from my
gloomy thoughts. ] did not answer, but fol
lowed her oat and into the supper-room
without word
After supper / inquired who the gentle
men were had seen in the garden.
"The black whislzcred one" said Maggie,
ATS Mr.. Roland, en- cd friend of the family !;
he Is here every summer. The other young
man, it seems, Is q friend of his; never saw
him before TODAY; his name Is Oliver Dud-
Icy, and handsome, propcr-spol1en young
follow he is, too" she added
went back 10 my room and rnopcd In ST.
lenoe until dark, when, seeing the family
were oil assembled in the grand drawing
room, / crcpt out, and taking the FIRST path
1 came to, wandered ainlessly on, scarcely
knowing or caring whittier it led, till found
myself on the shore Of O lovely lake, on
whose clear surface the moonlight was rest
ing, silvering each wave that rose till il
hooked Like molten silver.
Drawn Up to the shore was q beautiful
boat with softly cushioned oeats, and q pair
OF oars handsomely carved rested in the
oarlocks. / stood watching this moonlight
scene with such keen delight that did not
notice the approach Of party coming near
until they were close upon me. had bare
ly time to conceal myself behind one of the
rustic seats that lined the shore as they oil
came up laughing, chatting and seeming in
high spirits. There were IN the party Mr.
and Mrs. Clayton, Irma and Irving, and also
the two gentlemen / had seen IN the after.
noon tremblcd lest they should discover
me, for Mrs. Clayton came so near that her
silken skirts brushed my hands as I
crouched beneath the seat; but, fortunately
for me, they passed and entered one Of the
boats without noticing me- / could hear
the dip CT the oars as they rowed out on the
lake- How would have liked to accompany
them. had never bocn In boat in my life,
and fancied it must bo great pleasure to
float, as they were doing, over the silver
waves. But could not 60, 90 remained
where was, listening to the sound Of their
merry voices, and hating them all the more
heartily, think. / even wished that the
boat would upset, and, not drown them, 1
was not quito so bed as that, but give them
q wetting.
But they came TO shore at last. The gen.
tleInen assisted the ladies' out and the party
returned toward the house, ell but Mr..
Dudley, he fingered behind and lit a cigar.
1 could see the blue rings Of smoke curling
up through tho clear air
The rest Of the party went on, evidently
not missing him lie waited until thcy
were out OF hearing and ! was devoutly
wishing he would go on when he walked
leisurely up to the seat, behind which xas
hiding, and stopped. / could soc his face
plainly IN the moonlight, and there v-ss n
smile upon IT. Could he be laugh:ng at r,el
Had he seen met asked myself; and he
answered as if instantly diviaiag my
thoughts:
"Tes know You nrc thcrc. Come ont I
What sre you hiding forl"
i crawlod out and stood before him. q
very tumbled, confused looking object, no
doubt, from my hiding among the reeds and
rushes that grew on the bank
$50 you hid, did you!'' he inquired, look
ing at me stiil with that kind, quizzical look,
half laughing, half serious, on his face.
"Were you afraid, little oneio putting out
his hand and drawing me gently TO his side
stroking my tumbled hair With his white,
shapely hand.
mo. str" I answered, suileniy, "but they
did not want me and hid TO keep out oi
their siga-t-n
"Yes, yes,n he said, thoughtfully, and
then without any seeming questions he
drew from me the whole story Of r1y adop
ton by Mrs Clayton, my treatment since
ny arrival there, and E1y difficulty with Irv-
ing Barrett that afternoon
The young man seemed puzzled
You are sure you are 10 relation 10 Mrs.
Clayton" he said, after few moments
thought
None that know Of, SIR" replied,
certainly, II was she would not treat me
sou
Mr. Dudley smiled. aPerhaps not" he
said 'sBut" he added, starting suddenly,
II am going away tomorrow, Dorcas Il had
already tod him my name). and shall not be